Home Care Assistance – Halton/Peel Region Releases Oral Care Tips for Seniors
Toronto, Canada (PRWEB) September 12, 2014 -- Home Care Assistance – Halton/Peel Region (http://www.GreaterTorontoHomeCare.ca), the area’s leading provider of non-medical, in-home senior care, is releasing valuable oral care tips for seniors that are essential to overall health.
“It’s important to note that oral care is closely associated with overall health. Keeping teeth and gums clean is necessary, especially for seniors, as they are more susceptible to oral care problems, like tooth decay and gum disease,” says Rick Heinz, owner of Home Care Assistance – Halton/Peel Region. “A quarter of seniors over 65 in the United States alone have no remaining teeth, which is reflective of inadequate oral care throughout their lives.” (Source: “Tooth Loss in Seniors (Age 65 and Over),” National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research web site; http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/DataStatistics/FindDataByTopic/ToothLoss/ToothLossSeniors65andOlder.htm, last accessed September 11, 2014.)
Heinz explains that it’s important for seniors to have regular visits to the dentist for teeth cleanings and to get educated on how to practice proper oral care. What some seniors may not realize is that gum disease is linked to other conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease, so it’s really important for seniors to make sure they are practicing proper oral care, including brushing twice a day and flossing daily.
”There are other steps seniors can take to ensure healthy teeth and gums,” he continues. “The first of those is to stay hydrated by drinking lots of fluids. This becomes important for caregivers providing in-home care to seniors because it’s often the senior’s medication that can cause dry mouth.”
Heinz also suggests adding something to the end of the toothbrush, such as a piece of rubber, so it becomes easier to hold. Seniors receiving in-home care can ask their caregivers to help them get this done, as many elderly people suffer from arthritis and have difficulty gripping a regular toothbrush. Using an electric toothbrush is also a good option, since they’re usually easier to grip.
“The final two tips for seniors are to be aware of diet and remember to treat dentures like regular teeth. That means brushing everyday with baking soda and storing dentures in water or some other denture solution,” Heinz concludes. “Caregivers also need to be aware of all of these oral care measures. Part of the requirements of caregivers providing in home care to seniors is to ensure they are following the absolute best health practices so they can maintain a high quality of life and enjoy themselves while doing it, and making sure seniors are following these guidelines is key to maintaining those standards.“
Serving Toronto, Mississauga, Oakville, Milton, Burlington, Hamilton and the surrounding areas, Home Care Assistance – Halton/Peel Region provides older adults with high-quality, consistent care, helping them live happier, healthier, more fulfilling lives within the comfort of their own home. In an effort to fully address the needs of mobile and homebound clients, Home Care Assistance – Halton/Peel Region provides 24-7 live-in care, hourly home care, and hospital-to-home care. Home Care Assistance – Halton/Peel Region’s caregivers are certified in multiple skills, including the Balanced Care Method, Alzheimer’s and Dementia care, hospital-to-home care, and more. Home Care Assistance – Halton/Peel Region is so certain its customers will be 100% satisfied with its services that a long-term contract is not required. To learn more about Home Care Assistance – Halton/Peel Region, visit the company’s web site at http://www.GreaterTorontoHomeCare.ca, contact Home Care Assistance – Halton/Peel Region at 905-337-1200 or by e-mail at rheinz(at)homecareassistance(dot)com, or visit our office at 90 Lakeshore Road West in Oakville.
Rick Heinz, Home Care Assistance – Halton/Peel, http://www.greatertorontohomecare.ca/, +1 905-337-1200, [email protected]
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